426 
THE PHEASANT CUCKOO. 
back, dullish yellow on the under parts of the body, and rusty red upon the wings. The -Jon* 
tail is beautifully barred with black and white. 
A Kie of Ground Cuckoo ( Geococcyx calif or nianus), is found inhabiting the South- 
west, . and Mexico. It is the Chaparral Cock, Paisano, or Road-runner. The latter term 
explains its habit of frequenting the highways, always on the ground, where it will outrun 
the fleetest horses. The native population hunt this bird on horses, and regard it sport 
to run it down in this manner. Even hounds find it difficult to reach them after consid- 
erable running. It has a singularly broad and long tail, which is borne erect when run- 
ning, and no doubt assists materially in steadying the bird in its long and rapid course. In 
evidence of its wonderful swiftness of foot, Col. McCaul states that when, on one occasion, 
approaching Olympia Creek, in Texas, with a small party, he discovered a Chaparral Cock in 
the open road, about a hundred yards in advance, for his amusement he put spurs and dashed 
after the bird with one of his men. It was thus pursued for full four hundred yards along a 
smooth and level road, over which, with straightened neck and slightly extended wings, it 
PHEASANT CUCKOO. — C’entropus phasianm. 
swiftly glided, without 
seeming to touch the 
ground. When at last 
it sought shelter in a 
thicket, they had not 
gained upon it more 
than fifty yards. This 
bird is singularly cou- 
rageous in combat 
with the rattlesnake, 
which it always is 
ready to fight. Its only 
voice is a weak scream, 
which it seldom utters. 
It is unsocial, never 
going in flocks. It be- 
comes quite familiar 
when near human 
habitations, and fre- 
quently seems to pre- 
fer the proximity of 
farm-houses. It even 
ventures near enough 
to hunt for mice, 
which it destroys with 
much dexterity. 
Of the Coccyginse, or Lark-heeled Cuckoos, so called 
from their long hind toe, we shall select two examples ; the 
one being an Australasian bird, and the other an inhabitant 
of America. 
The Pheasant Cuckoo derives its popular appropriate 
name from the great length of its tail, which gives to the bird 
an outline bearing some resemblance to that of the pheasant, 
a similitude which is further carried out by the bold markings of its plumage. This handsome 
bird is a native of New South Wales, where it is not uncommon, although rather a local bird, 
seldom wandering to any great distance from the spot which it loves. It frequents low-lying 
and swampy lands ; living almost entirely among the rank herbage of such localities, and 
keeping itself concealed among the bushes. When alarmed it flies to the nearest tree, alights 
